By Evan Ackerman
Full disclosure: in between the time I decided to write about the Bialetti Hot Cocoa Maker, and the time that I actually started writing about the Bialetti Hot Cocoa Maker, I went and made myself a cup of hot cocoa. A marginally unsatisfactory cup, I have to say. It came out of a packet and included some entirely useless freeze-dried marshmallows. Certainly nothing like the delicious, creamy cup of cocoa that Bialetti promises… I mean, just look at it. It’s specifically designed to make as close to a perfect cup of hot chocolate as you’ll get this side of the Atlantic.
All you have to do is fill it up with milk and shaved chocolate or cocoa, and then the Bialetti will heat and mix it up and even add a bit of frothiness for good measure. It’s not limited to hot chocolate, either… It’ll make varieties of coffee, tea, iced drinks, and even pudding. Yes, pudding.
$100 from Williams-Sonoma.
[ Bialetti Hot Cocoa Maker ] VIA [ Unpluggd ]
I've got a hot cocoa maker, it's called a cup and a spoon.
A $100 Hot Coco maker? ummm Yea, I'll stick to the mediocre cup I make from the packet. If I really need something fancy, I'll go to Starbucks.
At what point do we need a machine to make hot cocoa?
You don't even have to settle for the crappy packet. An ounce and a half of chocolate, chopped (5 Hershey's Miniatures will do) and 8 ounces of milk or half-and-half, heated to just below boiling. Pour hot milk over chopped chocolate and buzz with an immersion blender for 30 seconds. Voila, real hot chocolate. (You can add a pinch of cayenne or a pinch of cinnamon if you like.)
You don't even have to settle for the crappy packet. An ounce and a half of chocolate, chopped (5 Hershey's Miniatures will do) and 8 ounces of milk or half-and-half, heated to just below boiling. Pour hot milk over chopped chocolate and buzz with an immersion blender for 30 seconds. Voila, real hot chocolate. (You can add a pinch of cayenne or a pinch of cinnamon if you like.)